Is Fear of Feedback Crippling Your Show?
I would do anything for downloads, but I won't do that.
This newsletter contains affiliate links. Not all of them, but some of them. I earn a small commission and it doesn’t cost more. I call that a win-win.
I weigh myself every morning. This week was not good. I set a new high clocking in at 236 lbs (16 stone 12 pounds). I’m 6’ 1” (1.8 M). When I looked down, I let out a heavy sigh.
How did this happen?
Easy.
I ignored the feedback. (honest I’ll tie this into podcasting)
I use the Cronometer app to track my calories. I have an Apple Watch and a Whoop to track my activity (or lack of) and my Whoop app has been telling me all week, that while I’m being “active” I wasn’t exercising to the point where it would rebuild muscle.
So today I made some changes. Didn’t snack in between meals. Pushed myself on my bike. I mowed the lawn and other outside jobs that had me sweating. Tomorrow I will see how I did (knowing that in some cases, much like podcasting, consistency is key, and positive changes don’t happen overnight).
But you can bank on this, I will step on the scale tomorrow because I WANT THE FEEDBACK. Without it, I won’t know what is working and what is not.
Without feedback I won’t be able to achieve my goal (185 lbs, or 13 stone 3 lbs). If I did the same thing I did that got me to this new record (primarily ice cream - lots and lots of ice cream) I’m not going move in a positive direction.
I’ve already done the low-hanging fruit (cut out soft drinks and replaced with water, no fast food, and more exercise. I’m also going to bed earlier tonight).
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH PODCASTING?
I launched a podcast auditing service this month called, “Podcast Hot Seat - We Make Good Podcasts Better.” I plugged it on all my podcast-related shows and came up with an offer that I felt was a no-brainer:
I review a full episode
I review your website
You get a free month at the School of Podcasting - including more coaching) for $79.
When I opened the doors, I knew there wouldn’t be a line as getting feedback can sometimes cause a sigh (see above), but I hear people talking about “Making their podcast better” or “taking it to a new level.”
They then turn their focus to gear (even though their podcast sounds fine). They decide to start a YouTube channel to promote their audio (Without realizing that much like the audio, what will you do to promote the YouTube channel?). In other words:
Not one single person decided to be the first one on the hot seat.
They ignore the possibility that it might be the content.
And yet just clicking around the internet I saw “low-hanging fruit” all over the place.
Examples:
A coach that had no way to hire them on their site.
A podcast that only had an Apple Podcast logo (without realizing that 70% of podcast listeners in Europe use an Android phone).
A person who had a clearly defined listener profile, that then made an episode that had no logical connection to this avatar.
A show that had 22 seconds of music before anyone said anything (too long in my opinion).
Now I’m not saying I’m perfect (far from it) but with 19 years in podcasting I can see and spot things that are easy to fix and can help you grow your audience - if you dare to step on the podcast scale and see if you need to change that low hanging fruit for some highly effective strategies.
I double-dog dare ya!
For Those That Are Serious About Their Podcast
Chapter Six Has Been Added to Profit From Your Podcast
I recorded chapter six of the audiobook “Profit From Your Podcast - Turn Your Listeners Into a Livelihood.” As much as people say to me, “I don’t know how you just sit in front of a microphone and talk” I can say, “Reading from. script is BRUTAL (even when it’s your own words). The chapter ended up being an hour and 12 minutes - just on Sponsorship.
Anyone who orders the book while I record it will receive a shout-out at the end of the book. Order yours today.
My Latest Episodes
Want to Grow Your Podcast? Start With WOW Content- School of Podcasting (Follow) (I got some good feedback on this episode)
The Daily Quote Reviewed- Podcast Rodeo Show - Podcast Reviews (Follow)
Why Start a Podcast? Exploring Purpose and Persistence- Ask the Podcast Coach (Follow)
Why You Should Treat Each Podcast Episode Like a Blog Post - Your Podcast Website (Follow)
Spotify Continues to “Do Their Own Thing” with Video Option
Spotify now lets you replace an audio file in Spotify with a video file (more information). Before you get excited about Spotify, over the last year I’ve uploaded 13 episodes of Ask the Podcast Coach and received seven downloads (of which 5 were me).
The video will only go to people on Spotify, so it’s not a “Video podcast” but a “Spotify video podcast”. They like to do things that are very “Spotify Centered” like their booth at the Podcast Show in London 2024 where it was reported you needed an INVITE to be in the booth.
Take the test: Someone says, “Hey did you see the video with the kid and the bike?” where are you going (Youtube). I love Spotify’s music service, and I wish they would return to doing just that.
AI-Writer
AI is tricky as people wonder where the content came from. I asked AI-Writer “How do I grow my podcast” and it sput out quite a large article and 44 different citations. I talked about AI a lot in the last episode of the School of Podcasting. Yes, it is cool, quick, and new - but is the content any good? (I have a follow-up episode coming up in the future).
RADAAR
If you’re looking for a tool to harness all of your social in one place, someone in the chat room of Ask the Podcast Coach mentioned this and RADAAR looked pretty cool.
Acorns Follow Up
I told you how I started using the online bank Acorns. It has this cool feature you can use when you buy something, it rolls up the change to the nearest dollar and puts it into a savings account.
From time to time I see where there is a deposit for X amount of dollars (see below)
I don’t know how long I’ve been using them (maybe four months) and I have almost $132 saved. Money for nothing? Close. If you want to check it out, use this link and get $5 deposited into your account (and so do I!).
What’s Coming In The Future
Why are reaction videos popular? A friend of mine brought up a point that I want to share. Also, a deeper dive into what I’m missing when it comes to ChatGPT.
Follow the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/follow
Need Help With Your Podcast?
Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned podcaster, the School of Podcasting can help. Helping podcasters is what I do, and I’ve been doing it since 2005
USE THIS LINK to save 20%